WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 May 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

A BRILLIANT ADVANCE. BY THE AUSTRALIANS. Received May 7, 3 p.m. New York. I\Tay 0. The United Press correspondent on (lie British front says that the Australians brilliantly advanced 700 yards on a JSOO yards front. Later ih'ev advanced a further 500 yards.—Press' Association. London, May (!. In the attack west of Morhinrourt the Australians readied the lower slopes of fl. ridge in the neighborhood of Vaiix-Biir-Soinme, an important tactical point. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc. The United Press correspondent says that the Australians, by two brilliant actions between the Anere and the Sornme. advanced their line on a front of 1200 yards or more. Many Germans were killed and 100 taken prisoner.— Press Association.

ENEMY REORGANISING. MAD CONFUSION AMONG RELIEFS. London, May C. Mr. Cibbs writes: Nearly a week lias passed without a German attack. Tiie enemy is reorganising his divisions and preparing another oil'enMive. He has many divisions in the Flemish fields and on the Sommo. also divisions crowded in reserve, but there are few roads for marching and not much room for masses to assemble and little cover in the trenches and dug-outs, so we pound many Germans to death. Reliefs coming v.n get wildly mixed with divisions returning, and there is mad confusion during the night in the ranks of the marching men and the transport columns, while the Red Cross convoys are overloaded with wounded. These things are upsetting the plans of the German high command, but it will continue to pour out the blood of the infantry in this great gamble. The only chance of the onslaught stopping is that the German people may be horrified and rise in passion against the spilling of the soldiers' blood.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc. SITUATION MUCH IMPROVED. NEW DRAFTS BEHAVE SPLENDIDLY Washington, May 0. The British War Mission states that, with the French and British reserves now available, the situation on the West front is considerably improved, though the situat ; ou is certain to be anxious for some time. Despite the terrible ordeal, the behaviour of drafts who for the first time Were under the deluge of shells and gas was splendid.

MALIGNANT PROPAGANDA. TO ANTAGONISE DOMINIONS TROOPS. Amsterdam, Mav fi. The Berliner Tageblatt. having' failed to set the British' against the Fi-cii'di. has commenced a campaign to cot the overseas troops airainst the British. II says the Australians are disheartened and sick of the whole war. because what, they gained l>y months of ell'ort the British lost in a few hours. The Australians now admit that an Knirlis.li Victory is impossible, and the boasting of British invincibility is a thing of the past. French regiments hart 1o stirt'ou the British front like the bones of a corset. As the English sacrificed the colonial troops, bo they sacrificed the Portuguese. Another pnper, discussinc the coming in of America, admits that mure troops are being moved than was expected. America is a tough enemy, but will be too late. A leading Australian authority points out the significance of the German propaganda. The effort to take the siing out of the Australian and other Dominion forces only shows the enemy's strong dislike to these fiery lighters. It is noteworthy that they avoided the Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian sectors for great offensives. The Australians have entirely disregarded the propagandist newspapers sent over by small balloons; they will likewise disregard the latest malignant newspaper campaign.

The Australians had an inspiring part in the recent defensive operations, and never had such an opportunity for killing Germans. The whole force had been traified to welcome such massed attacks, in which the enemy's losses were stupendous. So far from admitting that victory is impossible, the Australians realise that the futile Herman Hirusts have already brought the end nearer, heralding the complete overthrow of the German armies. Although a certain sentiment was attached to the lost ground, the Australians have no regrets, Knowing it does net matter where the final battle is fought, provided the opponents of democratic, liberty are robbed of their greedy powers for all time. This being the Australians' first hope, they are determined unswervingly to meet every successive attack until the Germans admit they are defeated. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assoc. ARTILLERY PREVENTS ENEMY MOVEMENTS. London, May 0. Renter's correspondent in France states that the British fire in Flanders during ihe past three days has completely prevented any enemy movement. The enemy undoubtedly prepared an attack for Saturday, but the British gunners smothered it before it could be launched. - Reuter.